’No plans’ for 100-ball format

CRICKET Australia will keep a keen eye on the progress of England’s new 100-ball competition but has no plans to introduce the controversial new concept here.

After months of consternation, including criticism from current and former players, the England and Wales Cricket Board has locked in how the new competition will be played.

Teams will each get a 100ball innings with a change of ends every 10 balls, as opposed to the end of each over in all other formats.

The bowlers are able to bowl five or 10 balls in a row, but no more than 20 for the game. So they could bowl four five-ball overs, or two 10-ball overs.

The ECB has applied to trademark the concept around the world, which could mean other countries looking to adopt the format would have to pay.

But a CA spokesperson said it wasn’t looking at taking up the idea in the immediate future. “We will be watching the results of the ECB series with great interest but at this stage we have no plans to move away from our current formats.” the spokesperson said.